BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – The state weather bureau has officially declared that Tropical Storm Ursula has entered Philippine territory and is expected to bring heavy rains on Christmas eve.
PAGASA, in its 8am bulletin today, 23 December, said Ursula, international codename: Phanfone, entered the country 5am.
PAGASA said rainfall outlook are as follows:
Between tomorrow (24 December) and Wednesday (25 December) morning:
Moderate to heavy rains over Dinagat Islands, Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands, Eastern Visayas, Sorsogon, Masbate, Romblon, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras, and the northern portions of Cebu and Negros Occidental.
Light to moderate with intermittent heavy rains over Quezon and the rest of Visayas, Bicol Region and Surigao del Norte.
Residents in these areas are advised to take appropriate measures to reduce the potential impact of flooding and rain-induced landslides, especially in areas identified to be highly to very highly susceptible to these hazards.
Strong Winds
Strong winds associated with this Tropical Storm may begin to affect the areas under TCWS #1 tomorrow morning. This may bring light damage to medium to high-risk structures.
Other Hazards and Information: “URSULA” is forecast to gradually intensify to at most Severe Tropical
Storm category prior to landfall over Eastern Visayas tomorrow afternoon or evening.
Suspension of maritime activities may be experienced in areas where Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) is in effect. TCWS#1 may be raised over Northern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, and mainland Surigao del Norte in the next Severe Weather Bulletin.
Moderate to rough seas will prevail over the eastern seaboards of the country today.
However, rough to very rough seas may be experienced over the northern and eastern seaboards of Bicol Region and the eastern seaboards of Eastern Visayas and Caraga Region beginning tonight or tomorrow morning. As such, sea travel is risky over these areas, especially for those using small seacrafts.
